# Gabriel Benítez

Gabriel Benítez (born June 15, 1988) is a Mexican mixed martial artist. He was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 1, and competed in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

## Background

Benítez was born in Tijuana, Mexico and started training in mixed martial arts when he was 18 years old.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Benítez started his professional MMA career in 2007, making his debut in his home country Mexico and he amassed a record of 16–4 prior to signing with the UFC.

### The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 1

Benítez was selected as one of the cast members for The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 1, UFC The Ultimate Fighter TV series, under Team Cain Velasquez in April 2014.
In elimination round, Benítez submitted Diego Rivas via rear-naked choke in round 2. Benítez next faced Leonardo Morales in the semifinals and he lost by unanimous decision.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Benítez made his promotional debut on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180 against Humberto Brown. He won the first UFC win via guillotine choke in round 3.
He next faced Clay Collard on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188. He won via unanimous decision with 30-27 across the board
On his third appearance for UFC fight, Benítez took on Andre Fili on November 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Gastelum. He lost the fight via KO in round one.
On September 17, 2016, Benítez face Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson. He defeated Sicilia via guillotine choke in round two.
Benítez faced Enrique Barzola, the featherweight champion of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2, on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211. After three rounds fight, the judges awarded the win to Barzola with 29-28 across the score board.
Benítez faced Jason Knight on December 9, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 123. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Benítez faced Humberto Bandenay on May 19, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129. He won the fight via knockout due to a slam and punches just 39 seconds into the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.
Benítez faced Sodiq Yusuff on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Benítez was expected to face Lerone Murphy on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed.
Benítez faced Omar Morales on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Benítez was scheduled to face Justin Jaynes on November 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. The fight was canceled after Benítez tested positive for COVID-19. The pairing was left intact and eventually took place on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Benítez was scheduled to face Jonathan Pearce on May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 23. However, weighing in over 4 pounds during weigh-in, the bout was cancelled.
Benítez faced Billy Quarantillo, replacing Herbert Burns on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Benítez was scheduled to face T.J. Brown on January 15, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 32. Three days before the event, Benítez was forced to pull out and Charles Rosa replaced him with the bout now taking place at Lightweight.
Benítez faced David Onama on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill. At weigh-ins, Benítez weighed in at 148 pounds, 2 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30% of his purse. Benítez lost the bout via first round knockout.
Benítez faced Charlie Ontiveros on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.
Benítez was scheduled to face Jim Miller on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. However, Benítez withdrew due to an undisclosed reason and was replaced by Alexander Hernandez.
Benítez faced Jim Miller on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. He lost by face crank submission in the third round.
Benítez faced Maheshate Hayisaer, replacing Anshul Jubli on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55. He lost the fight by split decision.
On December 13, 2024, it was reported that Benítez was removed from the UFC roster.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Humberto Bandenay and Justin Jaynes
** Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Billy Quarantillo
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2017: Ranked #6 Upset of the Year vs. Jason Knight
* Ultimate Warrior Challenge
** Ultimate Warrior Challenge Featherweight Champion (One time)
* Xtreme Kombat
** Xtreme Kombat Featherweight Champion (One time) vs. Antonio Ramirez
* Xtreme Fighters Latino
** Xtreme Fighters Latino Featherweight Champion (One time) vs. Daniel Salas
* Xplode Fight Series
** Xplode Fight Series Featherweight Champion (One time) vs. Ryan Bixler

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 35 matches | 23 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 4 |
| By submission | 10 | 3 |
| By decision | 4 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 23–12 | Maheshate Hayisaer | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez | April 27, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 23–11 | Jim Miller | Submission (face crank) | UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 | January 13, 2024 | 3 | 3:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 23–10 | Charlie Ontiveros | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz | August 13, 2022 | 1 | 3:35 | San Diego, California, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 22–10 | David Onama | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill | February 19, 2022 | 1 | 4:24 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (148 lb) bout; Benítez missed weight. |
| Loss | 22–9 | Billy Quarantillo | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés | July 17, 2021 | 3 | 3:40 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Featherweight. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 22–8 | Justin Jaynes | TKO (knee to the body and elbows) | UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori | December 5, 2020 | 1 | 4:06 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–8 | Omar Morales | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira | May 13, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 21–7 | Sodiq Yusuff | TKO (punches) | UFC 241 | August 17, 2019 | 1 | 4:14 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 21–6 | Humberto Bandenay | KO (slam) | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman | May 19, 2018 | 1 | 0:39 | Santiago, Chile | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 20–6 | Jason Knight | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | December 9, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | Knight was deducted one point in round 1 for biting Benítez's fingers. |
| Loss | 19–6 | Enrique Barzola | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 211 | May 13, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 19–5 | Sam Sicilia | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson | September 17, 2016 | 2 | 1:20 | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Andre Fili | KO (head kick and punches) | The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum | November 21, 2015 | 1 | 3:13 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 18–4 | Clay Collard | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 188 | June 13, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 17–4 | Humberto Brown | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 180 | November 15, 2014 | 3 | 0:30 | Mexico City, Mexico | Brown was deducted one point in round 2 due to repeated hits to the groin. |
| Win | 16–4 | Angelo Sanchez | Decision (unanimous) | Orthrus Promotions: Triple A MMA 5 | May 29, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 15–4 | Rey Trujillo | TKO (punches) | Fresquez Productions: Havoc | December 6, 2013 | 2 | 3:25 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 14–4 | Richard Villa | Submission (heel hook) | Jackson's MMA Series 11 | August 10, 2013 | 1 | 0:52 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 14–3 | Rigo Oropeza | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 13 | March 2, 2013 | 1 | 0:19 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 14–2 | Antonio Ramirez | KO (punches) | Xtreme Kombat 17 | September 21, 2012 | 1 | 1:48 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 13–2 | Ryan Bixler | TKO (punches) | Xplode Fight Series: Hunted | May 19, 2012 | 1 | 1:24 | Valley Center, California, United States | |
| Win | 12–2 | Jorge Lopez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 12 | March 24, 2012 | 2 | 3:12 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 11–2 | Daniel Salas | Decision (unanimous) | Xtreme Fighters Latino | May 26, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 10–2 | Raul Bellereza | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 9 | March 26, 2011 | 1 | 3:29 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 9–2 | Manuel Ramos Gallareta | Submission (kimura) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 5 | November 28, 2010 | 1 | 1:03 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 8–2 | Tito Castro | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 4 | November 28, 2009 | 2 | 2:15 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 7–2 | Shawn Major | Submission (armbar) | Ultimate Challenge Mexico 12 | October 3, 2009 | 1 | 0:39 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 6–2 | Shawn Major | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 2 | May 30, 2009 | 1 | 2:13 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 5–2 | Kyle Olsen | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico 1 | February 28, 2009 | 1 | 1:24 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Yaotzin Meza | Decision (unanimous) | Noche de Gladiadores | May 24, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Hermosillo, Mexico | |
| Win | 4–1 | Alan Mar | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ultimate Challenge Mexico 6 | April 19, 2008 | 3 | 2:04 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 3–1 | Dominic Gutierrez | Submission (armbar) | Tijuana Municipal Sports Institute: No Way Out | April 19, 2008 | 1 | 2:31 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Emilio Chavez | Decision (unanimous) | Cage of Fire 10 | November 24, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico | |
| Win | 2–0 | Tomas Huerta | KO (punches) | Ultimate Challenge Mexico 4 | November 10, 2007 | 1 | 0:00 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 1–0 | Martin Perez | Submission (armbar) | Ultimate Challenge Mexico 2 | July 28, 2007 | 2 | 0:00 | Tijuana, Mexico | |